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Honda - New Test Course and Mega Solar System in Tochigi Pref., Japan

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans that it will build a new test course and mega solar system in the city of Sakura in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

Originally planned in 2007, but postponed due to the economic slowdown, Honda's new test course will be approximately 25 hectares in size and will be utilized for the development of advanced safety technologies. The original plan was for a large-scale, high-speed 4km circuit, but the company decided to modify the purpose and scale of the project.

Another part of the development project is that Honda will build a solar power generation system on the site. The company plans to install approximately 70,000 solar panels on a 33 hectare piece of land and expects annual output capacity to be about 10 MW. Honda plans to begin selling generated electricity in 2015.

Honda is also planning to build a biotope within the property and will invite the local community to enjoy it.

Honda says that through this project, while it proactively develops safety technologies, it can pursue its commitment to global environmental issues, especially climate change and energy issues, and promote renewal energy.